We are exposed to market risks, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage the volatility related to these exposures, from time to time, we enter into various derivative transactions. We use various types of derivative instruments including forward contracts and swaps. We formally assess, designate and document, as a hedge of an underlying exposure, each qualifying derivative instrument that will be accounted for as an accounting hedge at inception. Additionally, we assess, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether the financial instruments used in the hedging transaction are effective at offsetting changes in either the fair values or cash flows of the underlying exposures.

In October 2017, as a means of mitigating the impact of currency fluctuations on our Euro investments in foreign entities, we executed a fair value hedge and two cross currency swaps, in which we will pay variable rate interest in Euros and receive fixed rate interest in U.S. Dollars with a combined notional amount of approximately €85.25 million ($100 million U.S. Dollar equivalent), and which have a maturity date of November 2022. This effectively converts a portion of our U.S. Dollar denominated fixed-rate debt to Euro denominated variable rate debt. The fair value hedge is recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of the hedge are recognized in interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We designated the swaps as net investment hedges of our net investment in our European operations under ASU 2017-12 and applied the spot method to these hedges. In February 2020, the fair value hedge and two cross currency swaps agreements were terminated, and we received cash in the amount of $9.3 million, representing the fair value of the swap and interest accrued through the date of termination. Accordingly, hedge accounting was discontinued and a hedge accounting adjustment to our Senior Notes of $1.5 million was recorded and is being amortized to interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through the termination of the 3.450% Notes in November 2022. Changes in the fair value of the cross currency swaps due to spot foreign exchange rates are recorded as cumulative translation adjustment within AOCI and will remain in AOCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the hedged subsidiaries.

Separately, in February 2020, as a means of mitigating the impact of currency fluctuations on our Euro investments in foreign entities, we executed a cash flow hedge and two cross currency swaps, in which we will pay fixed rate interest in Euros and receive variable rate interest in U.S. Dollars with a combined notional amount of approximately €277.73 million ($300 million U.S. Dollar equivalent), and which have a maturity date of February 2023. This effectively converts our U.S. Dollar denominated variable rate debt to Euro denominated fixed rate debt. The cash flow hedge is recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of the hedge will be recognized in AOCI when the hedged items affect earnings. Amounts recognized in AOCI will be recognized in earnings in interest expense when the hedged interest payment is accrued. We designated the swaps as net investment hedges of our net investment in our European operations under ASU 2017-12 and applied the spot method to these hedges. The changes in fair value of the derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are recognized in AOCI to offset the changes in the values of the net investments being hedged. In addition, in February 2020, as a means of mitigating the variability of the functional-currency-equivalent cash flows associated with the U.S. Dollar denominated term loan facility (referred to as Foreign Borrower’s Term Loan), we executed a cash flow hedge, in which we will pay fixed rate interest in Euros and receive variable rate interest in U.S. Dollars with a notional amount of approximately €92.52 million ($100 million U.S. Dollar equivalent), and which have a maturity date of February 2023. This effectively converts our U.S. Dollar denominated variable rate debt to Euro denominated fixed rate debt. The cash flow hedge is recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of the hedge will be recognized in AOCI when the hedged items affect earnings. Amounts recorded in AOCI will be recognized in earnings in interest expense when the hedged interest payment is accrued. In addition, since this currency swap is a hedge of variability of the functional currency equivalent cash flows of a recognized liability to be remeasured at spot exchange rates under ASC 830, an amount that will offset the gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of the hedged liability will be reclassified each period from AOCI to earnings as foreign exchange gain/(loss), which is a component of SG&A expenses.

The following table summarizes the location and effects of the Company’s derivatives instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Operations for gains or losses initially recognized in AOCI in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

	Pretax gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI							Pretax gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCI into income
(In thousands)	Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended
Derivatives in hedging relationships	February 29, 2020			February 28, 2019			Income Statement Location	February 29, 2020			February 28, 2019
Interest Rate Swap (Cash Flow)	$	(3,077	)	$	-		Interest Expense	$	22		$	-
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		(2,355	)		-		Interest Expense		47			-
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		-			-		Foreign Exchange Gain/(Loss)		(1,986	)		-
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)		(3,314	)		(400	)	Gain or (loss) on sale of subsidiary		-			-
Total	$	(8,746	)	$	(400	)		$	(1,917	)	$	-

	Pretax gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI							Pretax gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCI into income
(In thousands)	Nine Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
Derivatives in hedging relationships	February 29, 2020			February 28, 2019			Income Statement Location	February 29, 2020			February 28, 2019
Interest Rate Swap (Cash Flow)	$	(3,077	)	$	-		Interest Expense	$	22		$	-
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		(2,355	)		-		Interest Expense		47			-
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		-			-		Foreign Exchange Gain/(Loss)		(1,986	)		-
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)		(1,845	)		3,336		Gain or (loss) on sale of subsidiary		-			-
Total	$	(7,277	)	$	3,336			$	(1,917	)	$	-

At February 29, 2020, and May 31, 2019, we held one foreign currency forward contract at each period end designed to reduce our exposure to changes in the cash flows of intercompany foreign-currency-denominated loans related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates by fixing the functional currency cash flows. The contract has not been designated as a hedge; therefore, the changes in fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings as a component of SG&A expenses. Amounts recognized in earnings did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for any period presented. As of February 29, 2020 and May 31, 2019, the notional amounts of the forward contract held to purchase foreign currencies was $59.1 million and $38.7 million, respectively.

All of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. We determine the fair value of our derivatives based on valuation methods, which project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to present value using market based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign currency rates, as well as future and basis point spreads, as applicable.

The fair values of qualifying and non-qualifying instruments used in hedging transactions as of February 29, 2020 and May 31, 2019 are as follows:

(In thousands)		Fair Value
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	February 29, 2020		May 31, 2019

Assets:
Interest Rate Swap (Fair Value)	Other Current Assets	$	-	$	513
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)	Other Current Assets		5,592		2,482
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)	Other Current Assets		1,562		-
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)	Other Assets (Long-Term)		4,773		6,163
Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swap (Fair Value)	Other Accrued Liabilities		-		230
Interest Rate Swap (Cash Flow)	Other Accrued Liabilities		578		-
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)	Other Accrued Liabilities		504		-
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)	Other Long-Term Liabilities		14,558		4,276
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)	Other Long-Term Liabilities		3,990		-
Interest Rate Swap (Cash Flow)	Other Long-Term Liabilities		2,522		-